Hearing loss is a common health condition worldwide. The inner ear can be inflamed and damaged, for example, by loud noises, ototoxic drugs (drugs that are harmful to the inner ear), or viral infections, leading to hearing loss. Its treatment can be highly inefficient due to the highly compartmentalized structure of the inner ear.

María Julia Martín, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina, and colleagues have synthesized biocompatible folic acid-coated iron oxide-core nanoparticles (MNPs@FA) as potential carriers for the anti-inflammatory Diclofenac. The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles loaded with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac can penetrate the inner ear through magnetic guidance.

The diclofenac was incorporated by surface adsorption to allow its delivery once the target site is reached. This can allow the controlled release of the drug once inside the fluid in the inner ear, triggered by its pH. The researchers confirmed the ability of the nanoagents to cross the round window membrane, a barrier they encounter when entering the inner ear. This work could serve as a basis for the development of new therapies for hearing loss and other ear-related pathologies.

• Development of Magnetic Nanosystems with Potential for the Treatment of Inner Ear Pathologies,
  María Julia Martín, María Gabriela Montiel Schneider, Giuliana Paolillo, Francisco Homero Sánchez, Marcos Lo Fiego, Guillermo Spitzmaul, Verónica Lassalle,
  ChemMedChem 2024.
  https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202400321